RealShare Chicago Lineup Draws '400 and Climbing'

Richard Kelley, director of the Real Estate Media conference series, reports registration for next Thursday's daylong event is "400 and climbing by the day."

Speakers include Samuel Zell, head of Equity Office Properties Trust and Equity Residential, but the day offers give-and-takes between panelists as well, through the session-ending lunch hour.

"This event, and its focus on how to best function and do business in today's Chicagoland market, has caught the fancy of the real estate community," Kelley observes. "It's a unique value and experience for the Chicagoland real estate executive."

While separate panels are reporting on the state of the industrial and office investment markets, a third morning concurrent session pits Lord, Bissell & Brook partner Scott Hargadon, CB Richard Ellis SVP Jeff Liljeberg, Cushman & Wakefield director Richard Plonsker and Barnes & Thornburg Partner Sidney Saltz in a hypothetical sublease negotiation that promises to offer insight on how deals are done in a market that offers plenty of those opportunities. Staubach Midwest LLC managing principal Steven F. Stratton referees the faux negotiation.

The always frank, and sometimes salty, Zell holds court in the late morning for 40 minutes with Real Estate Media editor-in-chief Michael Desiato. However, US Equities Realty vice chairman Camille Julmy, The John Buck Co. principal Kent A. Swanson and Jamestown director of acquisitions Fred Van Wagenen will then spar in a point-counterpoint on whether foreign investment actually is happening in the market, and if so, whether that trend is good.

Those who have yet to find a session that addresses their niche in the market will likely find it during the networking luncheon. Tables will be arranged by about 20 different themes, ranging from office market submarkets to medical facility investment, development and management.